Wire Sources

[ofd8001]

Does anyone have a good suggestion on a source for hook-up wire? I'm specifically looking for 14 gauge red/black wire that is "fused" together, not unlike a home extension cord. Also a source of solderless connectors that are heat-shrinkable.

Thanks!

 

[fxdscon]

Does anyone have a good suggestion on a source for hook-up wire? I'm specifically looking for 14 gauge red/black wire that is "fused" together, not unlike a home extension cord. Also a source of solderless connectors that are heat-shrinkable.

Thanks!

Here's a source for wire, I don't have any idea how their prices compare to other sources...

14 AWG "AUTO ZIP" WIRE

Automotive grade "GPT" zip cord with red and black conductors. 80 degree C, flame-retardant PVC insulation. Usually available in rolls of 50, 100 and 500 feet. We will cut to order, 10 ft. minimum.

www.allelectronics.com

and there's always Amazon...

https://a.co/d/bh7Rmh8

 

[iMONITOR]

Does anyone have a good suggestion on a source for hook-up wire? I'm specifically looking for 14 gauge red/black wire that is "fused" together, not unlike a home extension cord. Also a source of solderless connectors that are heat-shrinkable.

Thanks!

Be careful to make sure you get copper. A lot of wire today is cheap steel wire that is copper flash plated. It's stiff and hard to work with. Over time it breaks if it's flexed enough.

 

[iMONITOR]

Try here:

https://www.carltonbates.com/fsearch?catPath=Wire-and-Cable

I used to work for them back in the 70's when they were RS Electronics.

RS Electronics is Now Part of Carlton-Bates Company

https://www.carltonbates.com/content/rs-electronics

 

[mmckenna]

Unless you need large quantities, sources like Amazon can be a good deal. As iMonitor suggested, make sure you are getting copper wire. Don't go cheap.

As for the heat shrinkable crimp connectors...
I've found it much cheaper to just buy regular crimp connectors and use some marine grade heat shrink over them after installation.
Beware of some of the lower price crimp connectors on Amazon, some I purchased years ago had an extremely thin tinned coating on them that would come off easily.
You can get a box of marine grade heat shrink at Harbor Freight. While I'm usually cautious about stuff from there, I've found it to be good stuff and reasonably priced, especially since they are -always- having some sort of sale.

 

[Onelick]

I'm in kind of the same market. Does any one know of a source of the heat shrink butt connectors that can connect two different size wires? I'm specifically looking to join 2 - 10 ga to 2 - 16 ga and an 18 ga. (2 ignition wires to starter relay and fuel injeciton) The only connectors that I can find only join two of the same size wires. Thanks,
Onelick

 

[HPTQRPM]

Del City @ www.delcity.net
McMaster-Carr @ www.mcmaster.com

Electrical Connectors, Heat-Shrink, for 8 to 12-10 Wire Gauge

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

 

[TGuelker]

As a mechanic, I have seen many many hack jobs using butt connectors. They are great if you use the right crimper. ACDelco includes heat shrink butt connectors with their replacement fuel pumps. Crimpers that just squeeze the barrel don’t produce a strong mechanical connection. Most all of them can be pulled apart.
The crimper I use makes an indentation in the barrel, making a much stronger mechanical and electrical connection.

 

[mmckenna]

The crimper I use makes an indentation in the barrel, making a much stronger mechanical and electrical connection.

This is one of the biggest issues I've seen with a lot of installs. Poor crimps performed by inexperienced users with the wrong tools. A good set of crimpers isn't cheap, but it pays off in the long run.

 

[12dbsinad]

The problem is each terminal manufacturer usually lists the type and specs of the crimping tool to be used with their terminals. This is because of terminal dimensions, as they are not all the same. Using generic crimping tools across many different brands of terminals can leave poor results.

 

[mmckenna]

Right, there's a lot to be said for picking one brand and sticking with it.

The cheap auto parts store $7 crimpers are the biggest issue I've seen. The "smash-n-pray" connections they make often fail or are just crappy from the start.

 

[flametamer]

delcity.net
waytekwire.com

Dt